Abeer H. Makhlouf & Rehab Abdeen
The present study indicated the antagonists activity of different biocontrol agents against a soil – born pathogen Fusarium oxysporum, that causes wilt disease of potato (Hermis and Spunta cvs.). In vitro, the effect of antagonists by the modified montmorillonite particles (Mod- MMT) as a fungicide with concentration (1,3 and 5% ) , and some strains of fungus Trichoderma and Pseudomonas revealed the presence of clear antagonistic action against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tuberosi . The highest mean inhibition values were 93.33% and 90% with Mod-MMT 5% and Mod- MMT 3% combined with Trichoderma harzianum respectively ,while the lowest effect was investigated with Pseudomonas fluorescens only 51.11%. Under green house conditions the results proved that soil treatments was more effective than tuber treatments against pre and post wilting disease. The highest protection against the pathogen cleared with Mod-MMT 5% and Mod-MMT 3% combined with Trichoderma harzianum respectively as soil treatment . This treatment was superior to Mod-MMT 5% and Mod-MMT 3% combined with Pseudomonas fluorescens in reducing the disease in comparison to infested control. All biological treatments also significantly decreased the incidence of disease specially Mod-MMT 5% and Mod-MMT 3% combined with Trichoderma. On the other hand the all bio- control agents reduced the population of Fusarium oxysporum gradually up to 8weeks after sowing. Also all biocontrol agents increased plant hight(cm./plant), fresh and dry weight(gm./ plant) , number of tubers/ plant and weight of tubers (gm./ plant).